Programme Specification
MSc International Relations
Academic Year: 2014/15
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XXI (Postgraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
Teaching institution (if different) | |
Owning school/department | Department of Politics, History and International Relations - pre 2018 |
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
Final award | MSc |
Programme title | International Relations |
Programme code | EUPT37 |
Length of programme | |
UCAS code | |
Admissions criteria | http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/departments/politics/internationalrelations/ |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:43:03 GMT |
1. Programme Aims
The aims of the programme are to:
- Provide a foundation for advanced study for students specialising in International Relations.
- Enable students to specialise in the study of international relations, deploying appropriate theories, concepts, methods and historical context.
- Enable students to analyse and evaluate the linkages between national politics and society, transnational actors and international relations in the global arena.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
Subject benchmarks for Politics and International Studies.
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:
- Theoretical and analytical perspectives in the field of International Relations
- Linkages between these perspectives and the realities of International Relations. as approached through case study.
- Particular specialist areas of International Relations, including the practical operation of particular international and domestic organisations.
- The opportunity to develop practical language skills, with a view to enhancing candidate employability;
- Significant case studies as the basis for a research dissertation.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate:
- High-level skills in processing information and in communicating it in either written or oral form (and the opportunity to develop modern language skills).
- High-level conceptual and analytical skills, including the evaluation of evidence in complex policy-making arenas, and the application of concepts and theories to case-study materials.
- Critical and evaluative skills at an advanced level in relation to the structures, theory and practice of policy-making in international relations at the level of the nation state and international organisations.
- Research Skills in the context of an extended Dissertation, and at the level necessary to provide for further progression in a research career (academic or non-academic).
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:
- Show strong awareness of issues relating to contemporary international relations.
- Display policy-evaluation skills in the context of national and international foreign policy-making.
- Demonstrate an ability to link, both conceptually and empirically, issues across national and international contexts.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to show competence in:
- Management of self-learning (using the Library and other printed, audio-visual and electronic resources; revision and examination techniques, reading efficiently, problem solving, action planning, self-motivation, time management).
- Written, verbal and visual communication.
- IT skills.
- Team work and networking.
4. Programme structure
Full time students take modules with a total weight of 70 cr in semester 1 and 70 cr. in semester 2. In addition, students complete a 40 cr dissertation between May and September
Semester One
Compulsory Modules (total 40 credits)
Module Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUP206 |
International Relations Theory |
30 |
EUP124 |
Philosophical Foundations of Social Science Research |
10 |
Optional Modules (choose one)
Module Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUP300 |
Institutions and Policy Making in the European Union |
30 |
UWLP |
Language options |
30 |
Semester Two
Compulsory Modules (total 40 credits)(choose one Dissertation module only)
Module Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUP125 |
Research Methods |
10 |
EUP307 |
International Politics: Issues and Policies |
30 |
EUP131 |
Dissertation |
40 |
EUP134 |
Dissertation (P/T) |
40 |
Optional Modules (choose one)
Module Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
BSP498 |
Comparative Foreign Policy: Issues and Cases |
30 |
SSP301 |
Media and Modernity |
15 |
SSP323 |
Marketing Politics |
15 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.